I'm away on a trip to the parents house and I just realized there might be a problem with my VTEC (2004 TSX).

First, I noticed that when I rev past about 6000 rpm, the engine makes a raspy noise. Doesn't sound normal.

Second question, and this is where I need help: when the car is stationary in neutral, and you try to rev all the way to redline, is it normal that the engine doesn't let you go past 5500 rpm? It's as if the rev limiter is at 5500 instead of 7100. I was hoping that I could demostrate the problem to the dealer on the parking lot but I guess not. When I'm in drive, I can go to red line but with the above-mentioned noise.

You think it's real serious? The car feels totally normal during regular driving.

 

There's nothing wrong with your car. When you're in neutral, there's a rev cutoff point.

 

Yeah, no-load conditions (neutral or park) limit the rpm to something like 4000 or 5000.

The raspy sound, depending how serious, might be something to keep an eye/ear on. Did it do this before or is it something new?

If its still under warranty, take it to Camco and have them listen to it on a quick road test. Might be something as simple as a harmonic rattle w/ the exhaust or something like that.